Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson now targeted for UFC 157

A heavyweight matchup between Brendan Schaub (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) and Lavar Johnson (17-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) originally scheduled for UFC on FOX 5 is now targeted for UFC 157.

Sources close to the event today passed along the news to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The bout’s placement on the fight card is unknown.

UFC 157 takes place Feb. 23 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The event’s main card, which is headlined by the first-ever women’s fight in the promotion (Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche), airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Johnson was forced to withdraw from UFC on FOX 5 the week prior to the event with a pulled groin. With the promotion unable to secure a short-notice replacement, Schaub was scratched from the card, as well. “The Ultimate Fighter 10″ veteran took to Twitter to voice his frustration over the canceled bout and Johnson’s late scratch.

The fight comes at a time when both heavyweights are in need of a win inside the octagon. Johnson faced Stefan Struve on short-notice at UFC 146 and lost via first-round submission, which was his first loss in the octagon after back-to-back first-round stoppage wins.

Schaub, meanwhile, has lost back-to-back fights, both in the first round. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira knocked him out at UFC 134, and Ben Rothwell did the same at UFC 145. However, prior to that, he had put himself in the title picture by winning four straight fights.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.